Asparagus plant--`Tara`

ABSTRACT

A female Asparagus plant which when combined sexually with a male plant produces an F 1 all male hybrid and transmits rust and Fusarium resistance to its progeny when asexually propagated.

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Asparagus whichis a female plant and we have chosen to emphasize that fact bydenominating the same with the female name "Tara" where commercialdesignation is necessary.

In view of our long continuing program of breeding for improvement ofAsparagus plants to establish various factors such as resistance to rust(Puccinia asparagi) and tolerance to Fusarium infestation, thedevelopment of the instant plant is important since we have found thatthose characteristics are transmitted to successive generations.

We have determined this by effecting asexual reproduction for thepurposes of establishing that the characteristics come true insuccessive generations, by both crown division and tissue culture.

Further in our program, we are constantly on the lookout for Asparagusplants in many different areas, which have resistance to rust, toleranceto Fusarium infestation, are vigorous, high headed, produce jumbo sizespears, and result in large volume production among other desirablecharacteristics, all looking to increase commercial production andvalue.

Thus when this new Asparagus plant was found to have resistance to rust,tolerance to Fusarium infestation, and also be a female plant, it wasused to combine sexually with the male "Scott Howard", U.S. Plant Pat.No. 5,549 and thus the F1 all male hybrid "Jersey Titan" was produced.This hybrid "Jersey Titan" is the subject of separate application.

The fact that our new variety was selected from the cross 14×30, crossNo. 277, and because of "Tara's" rust and Fusarium tolerance and thefurther fact that those characteristics are in fact transmitted byasexual propagation, support our selection and enhance the value of thelong continuing program which we have undertaken.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a mechanical drawing showing portions of a mature Asparagusplant showing characteristic dimensions of a typical specimen of `Tara`.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a typical specimen of `Tara` in anobservation planting showing the speciment inside view, in color and asnearly representative of such a plant as is possible to disclose thesame in a reproduction of this kind, color references being thoserelated to the Munsell Limit Color Cascade of Macbeth Division ofKollmorgen Corporation.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

As part of that program and records kept in relation thereto, we haveassembled data set forth herinafter which assists us in distinguishingamong the many plants produceed, the data being representative of such aplant and in this case a specific plant "Tara".

    ______________________________________                                        ASPARAGUS PLANT DATA                                                                                    Inch ×                                        ASPARAGUS PLANT NO. TARA (277E)                                                                         2.54 = cm.                                          ______________________________________                                        STALK DATA                                                                    The values to follow are expressed in                                         centimeters unless otherwise indicated. The number "1"                        in parenthesis below, indicates that the measurements                         presented were taken from the largest stalk.                                  Number of nodes below first branch(1)                                                                   37                                                  Number of cm. from crown to first branch(1)                                                             85.1                                                Number of branches(1)     47                                                  Number cm. between first and last branch(1)                                                             180.0                                               Internode length in cm. between branches                                                                3.83                                                Number of cladophyll nodes beyond last branch(1)                                                        39                                                  Number of cm. beyond last branch(1)                                                                     36.2                                                Internode length in cm. beyond last branch(1)                                                           0.93                                                Largest stalk diameter in mm                                                                            23.0                                                Mean diameter of three largest stalks in mm                                                             22.0                                                Number of stalks          35                                                  Stalk vigor index(Number × mean diameter)                                                         16,940                                              Mature stalk color, bloom removed                                                                       21-12                                               Crown to first branch of highest headed stalk cm                                                        85.1                                                Length of highest headed stalk cm                                                                       301.0                                               FLOWER DATA                                                                   Petal tip (yellow)        25.3-3.1                                            Petal base (green)        21.8-9.6                                            Flower length mm          4.96                                                Flower width at midpoint mm                                                                             2.38                                                FRUIT DATA (277E × 22-8)                                                Weight of 100 fruit (g)   26.8                                                Water displacement of 100 fruit (ml)                                                                    30.0                                                Number of seed per 100 fruit                                                                            216                                                 Weight of seed per 100 fruit                                                                            7.0                                                 Mean weight per seed (g)  0.0324                                              Water displacement of seed of 100 fruit (ml)                                                            8.0                                                 Mature fruit color        32-12                                               CLADOPHYLL DATA                                                               Number per node           4.60                                                Length (mm)               19.4                                                Width (mm)                0.136                                               ______________________________________                                    

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Asparagus plant substantiallyas herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to noveltyby its ability to transmit rust (Puccinia asparagi) and Fusariumtolerance, when asexually propagated as well as produce an all malehybrid when combined sexually with a male hybrid.